Registration Closes Months Early for World’s Largest Annual AIDS Fundraiser, AIDS/LifeCycle on Track to Break Records

More than 3,300 Participants from 41 States and DC and 16 Countries Expected to Participate in Seven-Day 545-mile Bike Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO, March 29, 2016—AIDS/LifeCycle® has closed registration for its San Francisco to Los Angeles bike ride—the world’s largest annual, single-event HIV/AIDS fundraiser—earlier than ever before and for only the fourth time in the 15-year history of the event. The more than 2,600 cyclists who are expected to participate, and who represent nearly every state and 16 countries, are on-track to break last year’s fundraising record of $16.6 million. AIDS/LifeCycle, which will take place on June 5-11, supports San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDS-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

“A record number of people from all over the world are making a strong statement that HIV/AIDS is not over and have vowed to do something heroic to help end the epidemic and to care for those living with HIV by participating in AIDS/LifeCycle,” said AIDS/LifeCycle Senior Director Greg Sroda. “We’re enormously grateful that the event continues to grow in popularity and to contribute much needed funds to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles LGBT Center.”

Registration for AIDS/LifeCycle 2017 will open on June 1, 2016. Next year’s ride will take place on June 4-10, 2017.

There are 1.1 million people in the United States living with the virus, and the infection rate continues to rise among gay and bisexual men, particularly among communities of color. In Los Angeles County, more than 47,000 people are living with HIV; in San Francisco, more than 16,000 people.

AIDS/LifeCycle depends heavily on over 600 “roadies” who volunteer to support the event in a variety of essential roles including staffing rest stops, ensuring rider safety, providing medical support, and marking the route for cyclists.

Though it’s too late to ride and volunteer on this year’s event, registration remains open for “virtual cyclists” who support the two beneficiaries just like actual participants but without having to train. Visit aidslifecycle.org/register to join us as a virtual cyclist.

The riders and volunteer roadies of AIDS/LifeCycle form a diverse, friendly community where everyone is welcome and everyone belongs—regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic background. Riders start at all levels of fitness, and regular training rides help them get ready to ride—even if they haven’t been on a bike in years (or ever)! AIDS/LifeCycle staff offer support to help participants achieve their fundraising goals.

AIDS/LifeCycle’s sponsors include FedEx, Bloomberg, Gilead, and Cannondale, the official bike sponsor.

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ABOUT AIDS/LIFECYCLEAIDS/LifeCycle is a fully-supported, seven-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It’s a life-changing ride—not a race—through some of California’s most beautiful countryside. AIDS/LifeCycle is co-produced by the Los Angeles LGBT Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation and is designed to advance their shared interest to reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTERSince 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s more than 550 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people can be healthy, equal and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.

ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATIONNo city experienced epidemic levels of HIV faster than San Francisco. At San Francisco AIDS Foundation, we work to end the epidemic where it first took hold, and eventually everywhere. Established in 1982, our mission is the radical reduction of new infections in San Francisco. Through education, advocacy, and direct services for prevention and care, we are confronting HIV in communities most vulnerable to the disease. We refuse to accept that HIV transmission is inevitable. Visit us at sfaf.org.

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We believe that San Francisco can be the first U.S. city to end the HIV epidemic. Every day, we provide free prevention and care services to people in hard-hit neighborhoods—and advocate for them to public officials—because we can envision the day when we beat HIV.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation which has been granted tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Our Federal EIN is 94-2927405 and our California corporation number is C1241510.